Northern Ireland's Ciara Crosbie wins the ball at the Vitality Netball World Cup ©Getty Images

Netball Northern Ireland (NI) is bidding to become a “top eight national team” within the next five years.

This target forms part of Netball NI’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan which was launched at its virtual annual general meeting.

Netball NI claim the "exciting" plan had been put together following "12 months of consultation, analysing, drafting, reviewing, questioning and challenging."

Writing in the 16-page document, Netball NI chairman Geoff Wilson said: "By listening to our member and partners I am delighted we now have a clear vision to be a top eight national team supported by a strong school, club and league foundation.

"This vision will be supported by four goals in which we will excel in sport business, growing participation, transforming competitions and enhancing the performance pathway.

"Our plan, developed during uncertain times, will challenge and excite us in equal measure as we navigate through the return of our sport.

"We recognise the health and financial environment may fluctuate but ultimately we must take this opportunity to drive our sport forward, develop our people and provide an engaging sustainable sport accessible to everyone."

Northern Ireland finished eighth at the 2018 Commonwealth Games before coming 10th at the 2019 Netball World Cup.

Karen Rollo, executive manager for Netball NI, added: "We have worked hard and have seen what we can achieve but in order to fully realise our potential as a top eight netball nation, we must ensure that we maintain momentum and create a sustainable strategy that supports our sport and delivers against our collective mission to develop and grow netball in Northern Ireland."